Bumpers or shields for the protection of automobiles

Abstract

A composite bumper structure is made up of an elongated molded bumper section, molded attachment lugs and energy absorbers. The bumper section is integrally molded with the lugs and both contain elongated reinforcement fibers. The energy of a collision is absorbed both by the deformation of the energy absorbers and the elastic deformation of the lugs. The bumper section may also support a stylistic facade.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A composite bumper structure for an automobile, said structure comprising: a bumper section composed of molded synthetic material, said bumper section including a plurality of molded attachment means integrally molded with said bumper section for connecting said bumper section to said automobile, said attachment means being elastically deformable, wherein each of said molded attachment means is in the form of an elongated lug and contains high density of elongated reinforcement fibers, the orientation of the major portion of which is parallel to the direction of elongation of said lug; and   a plurality of energy absorbers also attaching said bumper section to said automobile;   wherein at least a portion of a force acting on said bumper section will be absorbed by elastically deforming said molded attachment means.   
     
     
       2. The composite bumper structure of claim 1, wherein said molded attachment means are in the form of lugs which are pressed from adjacent the longitudinal center line of said bumper structure. 
     
     
       3. The composite bumper structure of claim 1, wherein said bumper section supports a stylistic facade composed of thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       4. The composite bumper section of claim 1, wherein said bumper section is positioned on a portion of said vehicle which is transverse to the length of said vehicle.